Microwave Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Material Identification Using Boltzmann-plot Super-resolution Algorithm

This paper presents a technique for identification of solid materials by localized microwaves. A small hotspot (~1-mm) created by thermal-runaway instability on the material surface is further radiated by the localized microwaves hence ejecting a plasma plume. Its atomic emission spectrum is detected and analyzed by an optical spectrometer for element identification, as in the known laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. The conceptual feasibility of the microwave-induced breakdown spectroscopy (MIBS) as a low-cost substitute for the LIBS is demonstrated by experimental results. The proposed MIBS technique for material identification might be preferable in scenarios that permit direct contact with the identified material and its slight destruction.